Amongst the current training panel are some of the most experienced players to represent Ireland before, including Steven McDonnell, Stephen Cluxton and Kevin Reilly.

Kennelly and Pearse Hanley will join the panel on arrival in Australia and in all 15 counties are represented on the preliminary panel.

Said Tohill: "We are very happy with the panel that has been assembled and with the mood within the squad. Those who have trained with us have applied themselves diligently and are looking forward to the challenge of regaining the Cormac McAnallen trophy.

"A number of other players were approached to join the training panel but were unable to do so due to injury and other commitments."

"The selectors and I are working our way through the difficult job of cutting the training panel to the required number of 23. Players not selected in the final 23 will be on standby."

Ireland will play Australia in Melbourne, on 28 October, and the Gold Coast . The team will depart for Australia on 22 October. The panel: